Years past have seen us in heavily forested mountains and last year on ocean
beaches. We continue the inclination to vary the location and environment
in the PNW to keep things fresh. The setting this year is in the starkly
beautiful and wide open spaces of the inland shrub-steppe wilderness, with it's
rugged geology, juniper forests, and cottonwood and aspen groves.

About
South Steens Campground

South Steens Campground,
elevation 5300', is located west of the 9733' Steens Mountain, approximately 18 miles
from Highway 205 via the south intersection with Steens Mountain Loop Road. Visitors will find picnic
tables and grills at 36 campsites amid juniper and sage. A stream runs through
it and consists of two campgrounds separated by a meadow about 50 yards wide.
One consists of 21 sites nicely spread through the junipers. The other is an
equestrian camp having 15 sites, all of which have tie racks and five of which
have pipe corrals large enough for several horses. There is potable water at a
well house in each campground and clean pit toilets. RV
hookups are available for RV's up to 35'. The access road beyond the
campground was upgraded in 2012, now wide and smooth. It's worth noting
that this camp is about 100 miles from any significant amenities.

The Campground is close to the Historic Riddle Brothers Ranch and several hiking
trails.
Alvord Hot Springs is about three hours away.

Numerous spike camps are about a mile from the central campground, providing
more seclusion if desired, or opportunities for beginner overnight pack trip(s).
All but one is along a flowing stream.
Good fishing is available nearby. Packing in Little
Blitzen Gorge and Big Indian Gorge is within reach of camp. Wild mustang herds
are nearby, as is a resident herd of bighorn sheep. Cattle are no longer allowed
in this area. Click on the map to the right for details.

About
Steens Mountain

Running between South Steens Campground and Steens Mountain are three
parallel gorges, Little Indian (south), Big Indian, and Little Blitzen (north). Steens Mountain is the largest fault-block mountain in the northern Great
Basin, forming the western border of the Alvord desert at about 4200'. See
Summit Post for details and photographs (gallery at bottom). The
summit of the mountain is accessible, providing a spectacular view. The
east side of the mountain drops off in 5500' cliffs overlooking the playa.
The ridge just north of the summit is actually accessible by vehicle (though it's a
steep climb), but the surrounding area is only accessible on foot. There
is a trail to the summit.

The
Burns Llama Trailblazers are hosting this year's rendezvous, having many
years of experience exploring this region. See their
website
for more details about the location and opportunities for adventure.

Activities

As usual, this a combined event. In addition to backcountry
llama packers we invite and encourage llama drivers to attend as well and bring
their carts.

Of course newcomers/ investigators are encouraged to attend --
the idea is to bring together all aficionados (and interested parties) of
the working llama to learn and have fun.
Youth are encouraged to attend. We're again inviting 4H and FFA kids (with
their llamas). Most of these
youth have show experience but few of them
have actual exposure to llama packing or driving. This is a chance for
actual hands-on education about what can be done with llamas as well as
gaining more handling experience, strengthening their relationship with
their llama. This is a chance for experienced llama handlers to pass
their extensive llama knowledge to the younger generation.

The spike camps, tours and poker run provide good opportunities to get some practice
with your llamas.
Llamas do learn a great deal just from observation. If they are adequately
desensitized to wearing packing equipment it's suggested they be in their
packing regalia for the hikes.

The PLTA Pack Trials are being separated from rendezvous this year.
This provides a more relaxed schedule and increased focus on the seminars and
hands-on interaction at rendezvous. More information about the pack trial
will be provided later.

As with last year the focus will be on Introduction to Packing with Llamas.
First-time llama packers welcome! Backpackers welcome!

Several experienced packers and their llamas will be available to provide assistance and hands-on instruction.
Spike camp treks will not be an
endurance test for your llamas, but simply a short trip containing all the
elements of a complete pack trip. There will be ample time to prepare, hike and
set up camp at a relaxed pace. Your llamas should be basic pack trained, i.e.,
comfortable with wearing packs and being ground tied. This event provides an excellent environment for
experienced llama packers to conduct training for their inexperienced llamas.

Following rendezvous many of us will be packing into the wilderness and
camping for a few days, so stay as long as you like! There are several
suggested routes ranging from easy to extreme -- your choice. See the
details at
Burns
Llama Trailblazers.

*All times are approximate and
subject to change. Participants are free to join the scheduled events
above or groups may elect to take advantage of alternate activities.
Spontaneous activities may break out at any time.

Please bring a comfortable chair and your own
camping and packing gear. Saturday dinner will be pot luck. You are encouraged to share
a favorite on-the-pack-trail dish (or side dish) and recipes.

Llama pack
gear. Bring your driving
equipment. Local roads around camp are suitable for driving. The weather is expected to be about
80F with sunshine, so bring your
hats, sunglasses and cameras. Forecast low is in the 60's at night, so some layered warm clothing is recommended.
Precipitation normally ends before late June
but some rain gear or umbrella is prudent as this region is always
unpredictable. No rain is in the forecast. Winds can arise unexpectedly. See
the forecast (at
lower elevation).
The ground should be dry.

The llamas will have some dry grass
available at and around the campgrounds
but bring weed-free hay or pelletized feed. Only pelletized
feed should be packed into the wilderness. Llamas should be groomed to remove
any weed seeds.

Nearby
equestrian corrals are available on a first come, first serve basis. Water
buckets and canteen/coolers. Water jugs for the campgrounds. Water filter for the pack trip.

This terrain is rocky in many places, so take that into consideration when it
comes to stake-outs and tents. Also, your llamas should have tough enough
feet to handle rocky terrain if traveling cross country.

It's very important to have navigation gear and maps of the area if hiking.
Much of the hiking is cross country rather than on maintained trails. This
includes the route to some of the spike camps. Some BLM Field Maps will be
available at the main campground (Sportsman
Series: Baca Lake). There are prominent landmarks and terrain so it's
hard to get really lost with a map, but some basic navigation skills are
necessary.

Binoculars are suggested, particularly for the wildlife tour.

Friday night dinner is provided. The menu includes porcupine meatballs,
salad and rolls. Potluck contributions are welcome for variety.

Saturday and Sunday breakfasts are provided.

Saturday night dinner is potluck. A Dutch Oven cook-off has been
suggested. Debby is doing corn bread. We encourage each
group to share what they do for camp cuisine so we can all learn from one
another. With llama packing the meal preparation ranges from backpackers fare
to RV camping, depending on many factors. We'd like people to experience
the
range of possibilities. So Saturday's dinner is being promoted as a potluck
affair along with demonstration (show-and-tell), but folks are free to do
whatever suits them.

Have an innovative pack gear item or technique to share? Please be
prepared to do so! Let us know and we'll add you to the demos.

What to Leave Behind

Important: Practice Leave no Trace principles insofar as
practical. Please pick up any pellets and bits of hay before you leave and
dispose of all garbage. It's important to leave the camp
area clean.

Items to Note:

Fuel is available at Frenchglen. Unleaded is $4.699 and diesel is
$4.999. The low price in Burns is $3.899.

The trail into Big Indian is deep in sagebrush and will shred naked knees.
Long pants are recommended, as they are for any cross-country travel in the
area.

The creeks are all easily fordable but are not rock hops. Feet will have to
get wet. Sandals or sneakers would be useful.

As of July 15 campfires are not allowed in areas outside of campgrounds due
to dry conditions.

The Steens Loop Road is now open all the way through.

Bug repellant may be needed along creeks and in the canyons.

This is high altitude with lots of sun. Don't forget sunscreen, hats, etc.

Plan to drink lots of water on hikes. Large drinking containers are
recommended.

The milky way is brilliant. Star charts would be fun to have, though while we
are there it will be a full moon.

What to Order

Commemorative T-shirts $15

Crew Neck Sweatshirts $30

Hooded Pullover Sweatshirts $35

Get your llama shirt. Orders need to be in by July 7 to get
them made before the event.

Costs are $25 per adult for the entire weekend.
Kids ages 10-18 are $5 for the weekend. Kids under 10 are free. Opt.
family rate $50. Group discounts available. Members of 4-H or FFA,
50% off. Discounts also available for seminar and activity organizers.
Inquire. Fees cover permitting, insurance, food, attendance and participation
in all events. Please have registration (and T-shirt, etc. orders) in by Monday,
7 July 2013. After that date fees increase to $30 for adults.

The BLM fee for camp sites in the main campground (South Steens)
is $6 per vehicle per night. Sites are first come, first serve. BLM
does not take reservations.

Directions

From
Burns, take State Highway 78 east for approximately 2 miles.

Turn
right onto State Highway 205 and travel south for 60 miles to Frenchglen,
Oregon. Continue on State Highway 205 through the town of Frenchglen, and up ‘P’
Hill. Travel approximately 9 miles. (71 miles from Burns)

Turn left on the
Steens Mountain Loop Road south entrance.

The turnoff to
South Steens Campground is just over 18 miles from State Highway 205 on gravel
road.
(89 miles from Burns)